Category Archives: Integration

While requests for customized solutions are common around here, some of them are a little more unique than others. One such request from Fritz Welter at Netinteract was to integrate a customizable call pop-up window in gloCOM. The purpose? To enable call notifications with blink(1), a USB indicator light. (Learn more at https://blink1.thingm.com/about). Interesting.

This was easy enough to do. Blink(1) provides an API that can be reached through the localhost. Any URL can be placed in the call pop-up window in gloCOM, so in this case the user just has to insert the localhost to blink their USB device. gloCOM’s custom URL field opens up endless possibilities to integrate with other third party products like blink(1).

Thanks to Fritz Welter and Netinteract for bringing this to our attention and giving us the opportunity to deliver a solution. With so many customers asking for integration with blink(1), we are happy that Welter can now tell them “yes”.

To conclude our series on “How to Sell…”, let’s talk about integration today. Of course there are many softwares and applications to integrate with VoIP, but for the purpose of this post we’ll focus on CRM.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, let me repeat the overriding strategy from our previous two posts (on how to sell UCaaS and Mobility): Show your prospects the benefits and features through real-life examples that would actually impact their day-to-day lives. This strategy remains relevant when selling CRM integration.

CRM Saves You Time

The major benefit of using a CRM is the time saved. The organization, efficiency, automation – all of those values ultimately come back to saving time. So the key to selling it is demonstrating how this will save time for your prospect.

Let’s go through seven of the primary points you will want to cover:

1. Call & email logs

Integrated CRM software tracks all calls and emails to contacts. Forget flipping through your calendar or racking your brain to remember your last call with a specific lead or customer – an integrated CRM will give you that information and more in seconds.

2. Click-to-call

Now more an expectation than a perk, click-to-call with CRM integration makes it easy to call leads or customers as you are reviewing their account. Cut the time it takes to get through a list of sales calls by doing everything from one screen.

3. Call pop-ups

If click-to-call simplifies your outbound calling process, call pop-ups greatly enhance inbound calling. CRM integration puts the caller’s name and detailed information on your screen before you even lift the phone receiver. No more pressure to remember details or asking the caller to wait while you change gears and catch up.

4. Marketing campaigns

Your CRM is no longer just for the sales department. Marketing teams will find an integrated CRM invaluable for creating, sending, and tracking marketing campaigns. Responsive marketing that targets audiences based on past behavior and interests shown is more effective than passive, mass marketing.

5. Marketing automation

All the buzz in 2017, marketing automation is quickly becoming standard practice. An integrated CRM makes it possible to automate marketing campaigns on multiple levels without forgoing a dynamic, responsive approach. In fact, the data collected by your CRM will make marketing efforts even more responsive to lead behavior.

6. Data organization

Arguably its primary function, it goes without saying that your CRM organizes contact data. But an integrated CRM will go even further in placing pertinent information exactly where your company needs it.

7. Lead Tracking

An integrated CRM goes beyond contact information and call logs, you can now track website visits, social media behaviors, downloads, and much more. Both the sales and marketing teams can get better results when they have more information at their fingertips.

Armed with those features and any others you can think of, it will be easy to paint a picture throughout your sales conversation.

Not Just for the Sales Department

Another point to make during any conversation on CRM integration is that it will go beyond the sales department and benefit the whole company. Numbers 4 and 5 above are for the marketing teams, and CRMs can certainly reach just about any department in any company. The benefits are boundless.

Implementation Roadmap

Finally, walk uncertain clients through the upcoming implementation process. Assuage any fears about the transition and learning curve – you can always roll out the new software in stages.

We are confident that with these tips and stable service, you will be selling CRM integration in no time.

If you are interested in learning more about CRM integration and/or selling, we have a few more blog posts that may be of interest to you.